Mom's Apple Crisp

This week I made an apple crisp. It wasn't just any apple crisp. It was Mom's apple crisp, made with nice, tart apples and baked in the old square pan that she often used especially for this dessert.

Many times when I was growing up, dessert at our house was simply a dish of fruit. Usually, it came from one of the many cans that were stored on shelves in the cellar. A little serving of canned pears, or a small dish of fruit cocktail satisfied the sweet tooth sufficiently after a hearty meal. Sometimes we would each have a peach half, covered with milk. It always looked to me like a sunny-side-up egg, and when I cut into the slippery yolk with my spoon and took a bite, the flavor was delightful.

Sundays at our house were different. Usually after church we had a late lunch of roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, and some kind of vegetable. And in the afternoon, Mom would make a dessert which would accompany a light supper that night. Sometimes she would make angel food cake. Gingerbread with lemon sauce might grace the table other evenings. But one of my favorite desserts was apple crisp!

Everyone loves apple pie, and Mom made delicious pies. But apple crisp is much easier to make and gives you the general taste while saving time and the frustration of rolling out pie crust. There are many recipes available for apple crisp, but this one is a little different. It is very important that you use tart apples, if you want a flavorful pie or crisp. I have yet to taste a store bought pie that is worth the money spent or the calories consumed, because the apples used in such products have no flavor or are much too sweet. My favorites for baking are McIntosh, which will cook down soft, or Granny Smith apples which hold their shape better. So without further ado, here is the recipe for Mom's apple crisp:

5 or 6 tart apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 unbeaten egg
1/3 cup melted shortening
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place apples in greased baking dish and sprinkle with brown sugar.
In a bowl, mix together with a fork until crumbly, the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and egg.
Sprinkle the flour mixture over the apples.
Pour over all, the melted shortening, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes until top is golden.
Serves about 6. Great with vanilla ice cream! Enjoy!